THE INFINITE SEA is the second book in the series and I dove right in not really knowing what to expect. The synopsis basically gives you a little recTHE INFINITE SEA is the second book in the series and I dove right in not really knowing what to expect. The synopsis basically gives you a little recap of book one and only mentions Cassie by name so I was a little surprised when she wasn’t the only point of view in the sequel.

The book starts out with Cassie and her small band of survivors hiding out in the hotel she and Evan agreed on at the end of THE 5TH WAVE. Things are rough. It’s winter and they are freezing and supplies are running low and very hard to come by. The plan is to get to some underground caves they know about, but are unsure if they are safe. Plus, Ben, A.K.A. Zombie, is badly injured. So, Ringer decides to go on a scouting mission to check things out and then come back for everyone else. Things really go downhill from here.

Without giving too much away let me say, O.M.G. There were several times during the book that I felt like Rick Yancey was ripping out my heart. Poor, poor Ringer. Much of the story is from her point of view – including the introduction of a new character that really adds some tension and drama. THE INFINITE SEA gives the reader some major insight into the aliens’ plans for human destruction and let me tell you, I don’t see how this is going to end well for the humans.

One major thing to note, this is NOT a standalone. You definitely need to read The 5th Wave in order to know what is going on in THE INFINITE SEA.

SCARLET picks up right where CINDER left off. The excitement and adventure of the first book continues from Page 1 and doesn't let up until the end. MSCARLET picks up right where CINDER left off. The excitement and adventure of the first book continues from Page 1 and doesn't let up until the end. Meyer masterfully weaves together the story we fell in love with in the first book with the new storyline involving new characters.

This time Marissa Meyer twists the story of Little Red Riding Hood into a thrilling science fiction tale.

Scarlet, a girl who helps run the family farm, sets off to discover the mystery of her grandma's disappearance and meets a rough and dangerous street fighter named Wolf. Little does she know that her journey to find her grandmother will lead her to the middle of the mystery about Princess Selena's true identity.

Scarlet and Wolf add a lot to the understanding of the complex political situation between Earth and the Lunar Empire. I enjoyed getting to know the new characters, but was always glad when the story took me back to Cinder and her new struggles. I loved Cinder's sidekick, Captain Thorne. He provides some humor in the very stressful situations Cinder finds herself in while escaping.

SCARLET has it all. Suspense, adventure, friendship, and romance. I can't wait to see what Marissa Meyer does next. CRESS will be released in 2014 and pull from Rapunzel and WINTER (2015) will incorporate bits of Snow White. I'm dying to see how she works all these fairy tales into this complicated dystopian, science fiction world....more

Bud is nervous about starting at his new school and running late on the first day isn't helping ease his fears at all. Lucky for him, the bus rolls upBud is nervous about starting at his new school and running late on the first day isn't helping ease his fears at all. Lucky for him, the bus rolls up right after he gets to the bus stop. It doesn't take long for him to realize something is strange though. All the students look really weird, robotic arms force something into his ear, and a safety bar comes down in front of him to hold him in the seat. But, when the bus launches itself into the sky, Bud really knows he's in trouble. He totally got on the wrong bus.

Gort, a fellow bus rider sits next to him and explains they are heading to the Cosmos Academy. When Bud tries to explain that he made a mistake and needs to get back to Earth, Gort quickly tells him to be quiet. Earthlings are the most feared creatures in the universe. Gort comes up with the plan to tell everyone that Bud is a Tenarian exchange student and should come home and live with him.

At Cosmos Academy, Bud is roped into playing Zero-Ball since Tenarians are known for their athletic abilities. Unfortunately, Bud doesn't play sports and with zero gravity it makes it even harder for him.

Gort and Bud come up with a plan to get Bud back to Earth, but the only way they can do it is to secure a place in the Zero-Ball Championship game. That means they have to beat the best team at school. Will Bud ever get back home? Will he be able to keep his identity a secret?

EARTHLING! is a really cute graphic novel. The final copy with be in full color and the sample color panels I've seen look great. The ARC I read had black and white drawings and it was still enjoyable to read. Gort is an adorable character and his and Bud's friendship is great!...more

Cinder is an orphan. She lost her parents when she was eleven and she and her family weLOVED IT JUST AS MUCH THE SECOND TIME. THE AUDIO BOOK IS GREAT.

Cinder is an orphan. She lost her parents when she was eleven and she and her family were in a fatal hover accident. She survived the crash, but only just barely. In order to save Cinda, scientists had to add a metal hand and a metal leg turning her into a cyborg. Luckily, a man adopted her shortly after her surgery and took her to the Eastern Commonwealth to live with him, his wife, and two daughters. Not so luckily, the man died of the plague soon after he brought her home. Ever since she has had to live with a step-mother who never wanted her in the first place.

Cinder is the best mechanic anywhere in her region. She has a booth at the market and the money she makes goes directly to her step-mother. She has nothing to call her own. She has two bright spots in her life – her android helper and her step-sister Peony. Her life consists of nothing but work until Prince Kai shows up at her booth one day. Prince Kai is next in line to be Emperor of the Eastern Commonwealth and needs Cinder to work her magic on an old android.

Cinder tries to be professional whenever in his presence, but is always careful to cover her metal appendages. She knows she’d never have a chance with someone like the Prince, but she doesn’t want to see horror in his eyes when he sees what she really is. Life becomes very complicated for Cinder when the plague (the same one that killed her adopted father) gets too close to home.

Cinder is thrust into a world she never knew existed filled with political strategy and deadly consequences. Will she be able to rise from the ashes of a world filled with death and prejudice?

CINDER is a masterful retelling of the fairy tale, Cinderella. It has it all, the prince, the evil step-mother, the lost “slipper,” the “pumpkin coach.” I read the book in one day because I couldn’t wait to find out what happened to Cinder. The sequel will be hard to wait for. Cinder is a tough girl – one that can take care of herself and doesn’t faint at the sight of the Prince. Yes, she thinks he’s handsome and dreams of him taking her in his arms, but….she doesn’t let that fantasy dictate her entire world. She has priorities and sticks to them. This is a wonderful example of a book with a strong female role model....more

Ender Wiggin is just a little boy, but he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. If he can’t find a way to defeat the Buggers, there might notEnder Wiggin is just a little boy, but he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. If he can’t find a way to defeat the Buggers, there might not be a world to live on for much longer.

At the age of six, Ender is accepted into Battle School. He is taken from his parents, his sadistic brother, and his loving and protective sister. Valentine is the only thing about home he’ll miss, even knowing he won’t be able to see his family again until he is at least 16-years-old.

Ender is the youngest trainee at Battle School. Instead of being taken care of and nurtured, the school sets him up to be isolated and thrown into situations that push him to the edge of his endurance.

Ender’s intelligence and ability to strategize makes him the most advanced candidate the Battle School has ever seen and he quickly advances through the ranks.

Will Ender be able to save the world? Can he be happy with the life he has been forced to live? Can he handle the pressure everyone puts on him? Will he ever be able to maintain a relationship with another person?

As a reader you can’t help but feel sorry for Ender and it is easy to forget he is just a little boy. Ender’s Game is the first of a series by Orson Scott Card. Personally, while I loved Ender’s Game, I don’t have plans to read the others right now. I don’t want to devote so much time to a series that already contains 9 other books (another is on the way). I have so many books I need/want to read. Plus, a couple of people have told me that Ender’s Game is the best of the series and the others aren’t as good.

Any reactions? What do you guys think? Who out there has read Ender’s Game? Has anyone read the other books in the series? Let us know what you think. Should we read the whole series or not?...more

Once again Daniel, who readers met in The Dangerous Days of Daniel X, is on the hunt for a big, bad alien from The List. This time it is Number 5, a cOnce again Daniel, who readers met in The Dangerous Days of Daniel X, is on the hunt for a big, bad alien from The List. This time it is Number 5, a creepy catfish looking alien with the ability to manipulate electricity and electric devices.

Number 5 is in Holliswood for a reason. He has a plan for the residents. Number 5 plans to make the people of Holliswood the stars of his latest interstellar reality television show. Number 5 coined the phrase endertainment because he kills the people at the end of each of the impromptu musical performances he orchestrates for the entertainment of other aliens in outerspace.

With the help of his family and friends, Daniel battles Number 5 and attempts to save the people of Holliswood from one of the most dangerous aliens in the world.

DANIEL X: WATCH THE SKIES was a let down. THE DANGEROUS DAYS OF DANIEL X wasn’t stellar literature, but it was much better than this series installment. There were too many hokey parts that left me rolling my eyes.

I’m not sure about how I feel about James Patterson anymore. I haven’t read MAX yet and I wasn’t happy with FINAL WARNING at all. Below you’ll find a link to a USA Today article that explains his writing process when he uses a co-author. So, my question is, how well does he read the final products after the co-author fills in all the gaps? I can’t imagine that James Patterson could think that DANIEL X: WATCH THE SKIES was good enough to publish. That being said, I do want to read his next book WITCH AND WIZARD, it sounds very interesting.

USA Today article about how James Patterson writes with a co-author....more

Daniel X is an alien hunter from another planet. He has powers that most people would consider pretty cool. Daniel can create anything using his mind.Daniel X is an alien hunter from another planet. He has powers that most people would consider pretty cool. Daniel can create anything using his mind. The most impressive thing he creates are his best friends. During times when he is the most lonely, he has his best friends appear and join him for talks, meals, and games.

Daniel is on a mission. He is after Number 7 on the list of the worst aliens on Earth. Daniel found the list after his parents were killed by the most dangerous alien on earth and took over their alien hunting duties.

Number 7 is the Chairman of a corporation called the Game Consortium. The Game Consortium makes its money by organizing brutal urban safaris. It breeds and releases creatures into cities and some of the worst scum in the galaxy pay for the opportunity to hunt and kill the target. Daniel gets more than he bargains for when he takes on the Chairman. He’ll have to rely on wisdom his father passes down, his friends, and a new and unlikely ally in order to survive.

Daniel learns a lot about himself and friendship during his adventure to put a stop to Number 7. James Patterson does a good job of giving a short recap of Daniel’s background without making it redundant. The illustrations are great and the full-color panels really make the scenes come alive. Reading the first book in the series, THE DANGEROUS DAYS OF DANIEL X, might be helpful to understand the entire background of the Daniel’s world, but it isn’t necessary in order to enjoy this graphic novel....more